The Physiological
Origins of Heart Sounds and Murmurs is a multimedia CD-ROM that integrates
functional anatomy with cardiac auscultation to explain and elucidate clinical
findings and observations. By synchronizing the heart sounds you hear via
your computer speakers with multiple imaging modalities as well as anatomical
cartoon type illustrations, it is possible to understand the basis of clinical
findings. Normal anatomy and physiology of the cardiac cycle is covered
as well as common pathologic states. There are 135 tutorials, 200 actual
heart sounds coordinated with graphic images, such as cineangiograms, echocardiograms,
x-rays, arterial and venous pressure tracings. There are also a few pathology
pictures.
This CD is unusually easy to run, because even on Windows, you do not
have to "install" any files on your hard drive--you can just run the CD
like you would on a Macintosh. The CD, as supplied, is a hybrid disc that
can run on Macintosh or Windows. The interface is only partially intuitive,
and you just have to experiment with it a little bit to figure out how
to navigate. It would certainly benefit from some pop-up dialog boxes so
common to other Windows 95 programs. The morphing cartoon images, made
with Macromedia, are excellent. On the negative side, there is nowhere
to look at a fleshed-out table of contents on the CD, so they have included
a printed table of contents in the box.
System Requirements: Macintosh: LC III or better, 8MB RAM, dual-speed CD-ROM or better, 256 color monitor, Macintosh system 7 or later, external speakers or headphones. Windows: 486SX or better, 8MB RAM, dual-speed CD-ROM or better, 256 color Super VGA monitor, Windows 3.1 or later, 16-bit sound card and speakers or headphones. Multimedia PC level II recommended.
Available from CMEA for $150. You can also call Little, Brown at 800-527-0145 with any questions.
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